NQ Dry Tropics Beach Scrub BioCondition Report (Site specific extract)
December 2016
Site – Ollera Creek
Contents: Site Description
2
On-ground Works Prioritisation
5
Discussion
6
Recommendations
7
Weeds on Site
7
Site Specific Actions
8
Treatment Recommendations
9
RDB40 Action Plan Ollera December 2016
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S01 Ollera Creek – BioCondition Assessment Results.
Biocondition Assessment S01 Ollera Creek – Landscape view and aerial view.
S01 Ollera Creek – view north, centre of plot.
S01 Ollera Creek – view east, centre of plot.
S01 Ollera Creek – view south, centre of plot. S01 Ollera Creek – view west, centre of plot. Attributes Maximum Score Site Score Site-based condition Large Trees 15 5 attributes. Tree Canopy Height 5 3 Recruitment of Canopy Species 5 5 Tree Canopy Cover 5 5 Shrub Cover 5 3 Coarse Woody Debris 5 5 Native Plant Species Richness 20 17.5 Non-native Plant Cover 10 5 Native Perennial Grass Cover 5 0 5 10 4 5 Adjusted Total: 77.8 BioCondition Class: 2 Site Specific Notes: Plot centre shifted from 2008 location to accommodate the larger plot size. Occasional bare patches around 20m in diameter are present, presumably old camps Landscape attributes (fragmented)
Litter Cover Size of Patch Context Connection
5 10 5 5 100
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S01 Ollera Creek – Site Survey and Management Notes Attending
C. Kahler and J. Rains
Survey Date
14/9/2016
Tenure
Reserve
Site Location
0m E 432850
50m E 432869
Regional Ecosystem:
(GMA, GDA94)
0m N 7902282
50m N 7902329
7.2.2
General Description
Semi-evergreen vine thicket, 9m in height, dominated by Acacia polystachya, Ganophyllum falcatum, Micromelum minutum, Planchonella obovata, Pleiogynium timorense and Premna serratifolia. Open patches of bare sand or leaf litter common. On crests and ridges of low beach dunes; sandy soil with little cohesion.
Size of Polygon
15.2ha
Size of Patch
775.5ha
Connectivity
100%
Context
45.1% (Remnant), 3.2% (Regrowth)
Canopy Height
Canopy: 9m Sub-canopy: not recorded / absent.
Canopy Species
EDL Species: Acacia polystachya, Ganophyllum falcatum, Micromelum minutum, Planchonella obovata, Pleiogynium timorense and Premna serratifolia Sub-dominant: EDL species as well as Aidia racemosa, Canarium australianum var. australianum, Exocarpos latifolius, Geijera salicifolia and Polyalthia nitidissima.
Shrub Species
Clerodendrum floribundum, Cyclophyllum rostellatum and Vitex trifolia var. trifolia.
Vines
Caesalpinia bonduc, Alyxia spicata, Jasminum didymum, J. simplicifolium subsp. australiense, Stephania japonica and Trophis scandens.
Weeds
Lantana camara*, Megathyrsus maximus*, Passiflora suberosa*, Melinis repens* and Opuntia stricta*.
General condition notes
Impacts include trampling (presumably by campers), tracks made by vehicular traffic, rubbish dumping and weeds. There were no signs of extensive wild fire or significant impacts from feral or domestic animals.
Management Issues
Livestock: The area has been recently fenced, limiting public access although cattle are still present. Weeds: A light cover of lantana occurs in places. Guinea grass lines the access tracks and may increase in cover if cattle are excluded. Hyparrhenia rufa* (thatch grass) is present along access tracks. Opuntia stricta* is present as scattered small (1m) plants. Rubbish: Scattered patches of old rubbish remain.
Suggested Actions
Livestock: if possible, exclude livestock from patch. Weeds: Control any exotic grasses within and surrounding the patch. Consider attempting eradication of Hyparrhenia rufa* from tracks leading to the patch. It should be controlled if it begins to invade beach scrub areas (eradication from area may be possible at this stage and should be considered). Control existing lantana occurrences. Recommend occasional return visit to monitor lantana cover and control if it increases. Rubbish: Remove rubbish to discourage further dumping (less of an issue now public access is limited).
Action Prioritisation Score
8/13
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Table 1: S01 Ollera Creek Flora and Fauna Species Lists Family Scientific Name
Common Name
Life Form
Plant Species FABACEAE
Abrus precatorius
crab's eye
MIMOSACEAE
Acacia polystachya
a wattle
RUBIACEAE
Aidia racemosa
Archer cherry
T
SAPINDACEAE
Alectryon tomentosus
hairy bird's eye
T
RHAMNACEAE
Alphitonia excelsa
soap tree
T
APOCYNACEAE
Alyxia spicata
chain fruit
V
APOCYNACEAE
Apocynaceae
a vine
V
CAESALPINIACEAE
Caesalpinia bonduc
nicker nut
V
BURSERACEAE
Canarium australianum var. australianum
mango bark
T
CAPPARACEAE
Capparis sepiaria
wild orange
S
ULMACEAE
Celtis paniculata
native celtis
T
OLEACEAE
Chionanthus ramiflorus
northern olive
T
LAMIACEAE
Clerodendrum floribundum
lolly bush
S
FABACEAE
Crotalaria medicaginea var. medicaginea
trefoil rattlepod
H
SAPINDACEAE
Cupaniopsis anacardioides
tuckeroo
T
HEMEROCALLIDACEAE
Dianella caerulea
blue flax lily
F
RUBIACEAE
Cyclophyllum rostellatum
coast canthium
T
EBENACEAE
Diospyros geminata
grey ebony
T
POACEAE
Eragrostis elongata
clustered lovegrass
G
ANACARDIACEAE
Euroschinus falcatus
ribbonwood
T
SANTALACEAE
Exocarpos latifolius
beach cherry
T
SAPINDACEAE
Ganophyllum falcatum
scaly bark ash
EDL
RUTACEAE
Geijera salicifolia
wilga
T
OLEACEAE
Jasminum didymum
native jasmine
V
OLEACEAE
Jasminum simplicifolium subsp. australiense
native jasmine
V
VERBENACEAE
Lantana camara*
lantana
S
ARECACEAE
Livistona decora
livistona palm
T
POACEAE
Megathyrsus maximus*
Guinea grass
G
POACEAE
Melinis repens*
red Natal grass
G
RUTACEAE
Micromelum minutum
lime berry
EDL
CACTACEAE
Opuntia stricta*
prickly pear
S
POACEAE
Paspalidium aversum
a paspalidium
G
PASSIFLORACEAE
Passiflora suberosa*
corky passionvine
V
PHYLLANTHACEAE
Phyllanthaceae
SAPOTACEAE
Planchonella obovata
ANACARDIACEAE
Pleiogynium timorense
northern yellow boxwood Burdekin plum
ANNONACEAE
Polyalthia nitidissima
canary beach
T
LAMIACEAE
Premna serratifolia
coast premna
EDL
CYPERACEAE
Scleria mackaviensis
scleria
H
FLACOURTIACEAE
Scolopia braunii
flintwood
T
MENISPERMACEAE
Stephania japonica
snake vine
V
STERCULIACEAE
Sterculia quadrifida
peanut tree
T
RDB40 Action Plan Ollera December 2016
V EDL
S EDL EDL
4
COMBRETACEAE
Terminalia muelleri
Mueller's Damson
MORACEAE
Trophis scandens
burny vine
V
LAMIACEAE
Vitex trifolia var. trifolia
common blue vitex
S
Common Name
Class
Family
Scientific Name
EDL
Fauna Species BOVIDAE
Bos sp.*
cattle
MAMMALIA
Table Note: Life Form categories are as follows: E= epiphyte, F= forb, S- shrub, T= tree, V= vine, EDL= species forms part of the canopy or the Ecologically Dominant Layer, * = introduced/weed. Fauna observations were opportunistic only.
Recommended Prioritisation of Works Site prioritisation scores are given below in Table 2 (extracted) with sites ranked by site number. Table 3 (extracted) lists the sites by on-ground works prioritisation score and includes BioCondition scores and classes. Table 2: On-Ground Works Prioritisation Scores for each Site – Extract Site Attribute and score
S01 Ollera Ck
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Total
2
1
1
2
0
1
1
0
1
8
Notes: TCC with record of good land management and well resourced. Weed control and establishment of hazard reduction burning or firebreaks likely to increase BC score. TCC and CVA involvement likely. Table Note: scores shown are from a maximum total of 13.
BioCondition scores were calculated from values collected onto field sheets during field survey and are given on individual site sheets in the previous section. The BioCondition scores along with each site’s works prioritisation score are given in the following tables. Table 3: Sites Ranked by On-Ground Prioritisation Score – Extract Site Works BioCondition Prioritisation Score Score S01 Ollera Creek 8 77.8%
BioCondition Class 2
Previous BioCondition Score (Class) n/a
Note: ‘Previous BioCondition Score’ derived from Woodcock (2008a).
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Discussion Condition The beach scrubs surveyed are all in good condition. Those managed by public authorities appeared to be in the best condition. Although it is largely impossible to compare BioCondition scores between this survey event and previous ones, a few differences can be detected through checking text used in describing the sites during 2008 survey. The chief changes in condition relate to cyclone damage sustained in the intervening period. Cyclone Yasi apparently impacted the northern sites including Ollera Creek. Otherwise, management issues for re-surveyed sites seem to have largely remained as they were during the first survey. It seems as though previous investment has been worthwhile with sites treated previously for weeds or other threats returning high BioCondition scores – the prior investment has paid off in terms of resilience and in terms of current landholders’ awareness of the value of these ecosystems.
Threats Results of the on-ground BioCondition survey and scoring are given in a site-by-site report (following section) including the BioCondition score break-down, site photos, a small map showing the traversed area within patch, notes on condition and proposed actions as well as a plant species list and a list of any fauna incidentally sighted during the survey. Management issues and suggested actions are also given. A summary of threats to beach scrubs at each site is given in Table 4 (extracted).
Threat
S01 Ollera Creek
Table 4: Summary of Threats by Site – Extract
Coastal development Tourism and vectors
x
Agriculture
x
Mining Climate change Weed invasion
x
Fire Feral animals Exotic pathogens Other natural disturbances
The strongest influences on BioCondition scores appear to be natural disturbances (salt water inundation, strong salt-laden winds, cyclones) although the pressure that represents single greatest potential threat, likely to cause catastrophic and irreversible change is the ever-present likelihood of coastal development. Invasion by transformer weeds and fire are the next most significant onsite threats overall (see Table 4). Weeds, along with inappropriate fire use could severely damage remaining areas. Beach scrub transformer weeds (weeds that can force a significant and perhaps irreversible change in structure and floristics) include rubber vine (Cryptostegia grandiflora*), Guinea grass (Megathyrsus maximus*) (and other vigorous introduced grasses), lantana (Lantana camara*) and, if infestations are dense enough, corky passion vine (Passiflora suberosa*). Myrtle rust was seen at 2 sites and infected plants were notably lacking in vigour. RDB40 Action Plan Ollera December 2016
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Recommendations or Summary Many of the sites surveyed are in good condition (BioCondition class of 1 or 2). Protect these healthier sites from threatening processes, most especially, clearing. The most catastrophic impact on these healthy sites will come from human interaction – clearing for coastal development. High public awareness of their values and TEC listing is most likely the best protection they can be given against this threat. In order to check that beach scrub communities of the NQ Dry Tropics NRM region are maintaining or improving condition it is recommended that this process be repeated in around five to ten years’ time. It should not be necessary to repeat BioCondition immediately following any on-ground works as a way of measuring their success, rather, specific monitoring methods should be devised or used to detect the success or otherwise of any remediation works planned. Wherever it is available, use more current information, particularly on community or landholder willingness to participate, so as to improve the chances of remediation work success. Where it is not at hand, actively seek information from the community to better inform planning and improve the results of on-ground works. Additionally, maintain some planning flexibility so as to take advantage of opportunities as they arise.
Weeds identified on site include, but are not limited to: Table 5: Prioritised Weeds Priority Order
Scientific Name
Common Name
Life Form
Plant Species
1 (Very High)
Opuntia stricta*
prickly pear
S
1 (Very High)
Lantana camara*
lantana
S
1 (Very High)
Megathyrsus maximus*
Guinea grass
G
2 (High)
Melinis repens*
red Natal grass
G
3 (Moderate)
Passiflora suberosa*
corky passionvine
V
Table Note: Life Form categories are as follows: E= epiphyte, F= forb, S- shrub, T= tree, V= vine.
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Site Specific Actions S01 Ollera Creek
Initial Works
Quarter 4 maintenance
Quarter 5 maintenance
Quarter 6 maintenance
Quarter 7 maintenance
Quarter 8 maintenance
Jan-Mar 2017
Apr – Jun 2017
Jul – Sep 2017
Oct – Dec 2017
Jan – Mar 2018
Apr – Jun 2018
Time required o 3 days (estimate) Rubbish clean up o Litter, bottles etc Weed works o Prickly pear
Time required o 1 day Rubbish clean up o Litter, bottles etc Check status of
Time required o 1 day
Time required o 1 day
Rubbish clean up o Litter, bottles etc Check status of
Rubbish clean up o Litter, bottles etc Check status of
Time required o 1 day Rubbish clean up o Litter, bottles etc Check status of
Time required o 1 day Rubbish clean up o Litter, bottles etc Check status of
previously treated
previously treated
previously treated
previously treated
previously treated
(scattered
weeds, retreat if
weeds, retreat if
weeds, retreat if
weeds, retreat if
weeds, retreat if
infestations)
needed
needed
needed
needed
needed
o Grass control on
Weed works
Weed works
Weed works
Weed works
Weed works
perimeter (guinea
o Grasses
o Grasses
o Grasses
o Grasses
o Grasses
and others)
o Woody weeds
o Woody weeds
o Woody weeds
o Woody weeds
o Woody weeds
o Lantana
o Prickly pear
o Prickly pear
o Prickly pear
o Prickly pear
o Prickly pear
o Others as time
o Others as time
o Others as time
o Others as time
o Others as time
o Others as time
permits
permits
permits
permits
RDB40 Action Plan Ollera December 2016
permits
permits
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Treatment Recommendations All of this information is advisory in nature and not legally binding; the landholder should ensure they follow all governmental and safety regulations when using any weed control methods. Some of these plants are toxic to humans and all care should be taken during their control. Prickly Pear Foliar spraying and chemical injection in the plant work well on infestations of this Weed of National Significance. For a small infestation, physical removal and burning would be effective. Wear protective clothing while doing this work. Be sure to gather up all the parts of the plant as it will re-sprout readily. Remove from site. http://www.daff.qld.gov.au/plants/weeds-pestanimals-ants/weeds/a-z-listing-of-weeds/photo-guideto-weeds/prickly-pear http://www.daff.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/00 07/76606/IPA-Prickly-Pear-Control-PP29.pdf http://keyserver.lucidcentral.org/weeds/data/0303080 0-0b07-490a-8d040605030c0f01/media/Html/Opuntia_monacantha.htm http://keyserver.lucidcentral.org/weeds/data/0303080 0-0b07-490a-8d040605030c0f01/media/Html/Opuntia_stricta.htm http://keyserver.lucidcentral.org/weeds/data/0303080 0-0b07-490a-8d040605030c0f01/media/Html/Opuntia_dillenii.htm
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Lantana Lantana can be controlled in small outbreaks by digging or chipping out the plants. Alternatively, partially cutting the plant back and basal bark spraying it, according to the Fact Sheet is effective. https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industry/agriculture/ species/invasive-plants/restricted/lantana http://www.daff.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/00 09/62010/IPA-Lantana-PP34.pdf http://www.daff.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/00 08/77669/IPA-Lantana-Herb-Bro.pdf
http://keyserver.lucidcentral.org/weeds/data/me dia/Html/lantana_camara.htm
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Guinea Grass Guinea grass can be controlled in small outbreaks by hand-pulling or digging out the plants. Larger infestation will need to be brush cut back and clumps sprayed with glyphosate or grass-specific herbicide. http://keyserver.lucidcentral.org/weeds/data/0303080 0-0b07-490a-8d040605030c0f01/media/Html/Megathyrsus_maximus_va r._maximus.htm http://www.daff.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/00 06/67398/IPA-Guinea-Grass-PP82.pdf
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Red Natal Grass Natal grass is best controlled by mowing or brushcutting the plants before the seed has set. Follow up by spot spraying base being careful not to hit desirables with the spray of glyphosate or grass-specific herbicide. http://keyserver.lucidcentral.org/weeds/data/0303080 0-0b07-490a-8d040605030c0f01/media/Html/Melinis_repens.htm
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Corky Passion Flower Passion flower vines are best controlled by hand-pulling, larger infestations will need to be controlled using a broad leaf selective herbicide such as Amicide™. http://www.daff.qld.gov.au/plants/weeds-pestanimals-ants/weeds/a-z-listing-of-weeds/photo-guideto-weeds/corky-passionflower http://www.daff.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/00 03/62328/IPA-Corky-Passionflower-PP75.pdf
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